Before resigning from his position as head coach of Boston collegiate to take a position as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, Jeff Hafley claims he wasn’t really trying to leave collegiate football.
Hafley, 44, claimed he just couldn’t pass up a chance that was too good to pass up. He mentioned the opportunity to collaborates with Packers coach Matt LaFleur, the team’s heritage, and the talent on the Green Bay squad.
In his first press conference following the move, Hafley stated on Thursday, “As a guy that grew up loving football, it’s the Green Bay Packers.” For myself and probably the majority of people who grew up enjoying football, this is like the mecca of the football world. Simply being here and entering Lambeau each day, it still feels surreal.”
Hafley, who finished 22–26 in four seasons as Boston College’s head coach, is one of the few who willingly left their positions as head coaches at Football Bowl Subdivision programs to take assistant positions elsewhere.
These actions coincide with significant developments in the collegiate game, including the ability for players to earn from their name, image, and likeness and the ability to transfer without missing a season.
After finishing 35-34 in six seasons at UCLA, Chip Kelly left to take over as offensive coordinator at Ohio State. Following a 41-44 record in seven seasons at Georgia State, Shawn Elliott, a former interim head coach at South Carolina, returned to the Gamecocks as the tight ends coach and running game coordinator.
Kane Wommack of South Alabama and Maurice Linguist of Buffalo resigned as head coaches to work with Kalen DeBoer, the new head coach at Alabama.
Hafley’s decision to enter the NFL was distinct since he completely abandoned the college levels. The majority of head coaches who make this move do so in search of another head coaching position. Jim Harbaugh, for example, left Michigan to take over the Los Angeles Chargers after Michigan won the national championship.
